What is Folk Dance?

By Box Hill Ballet Principal, Jan Turner.

When I ask this question the replies I often get conjure up an image of young children in peasant skirts, aprons and scarves, holding hands and skipping in a circle. While it might look like this on the surface, it is SO much more, a dance style which I feel has enormous value in our society today, yet is often overlooked due to lack of understanding.

Folk Dance, more recently renamed International Dance, in an effort to popularize it, is just that. The dances can teach the participants about the culture from which they are derived. It is so important in our increasingly multi-cultural society to understand those from a different background and culture.

It has always been a group activity and in this setting many life skills can be taught – teamwork, social contact and cooperation and consideration for others, all very important in a society becoming increasingly isolated through dependence on technology to communicate.

It is healthy exercise which contains a huge range of suitability for different ages, from very small children to the elderly, a huge range of levels of difficulty from simple to challenging, making it accessible and enjoyable for all.

Studies undertaken have proven its benefits, not only physical but mental and social as well.

The complex rhythms and different instruments used by many cultures add to our understanding of music and increase appreciation, knowledge and musicality.

This, to me, is what “Folk Dance” is about.

About Box Hill Ballet Association

Offering classes in Classical Ballet (Cecchetti), Jazz (SFD), Tap, Contemporary, International Dance and Wu Tao. There are classes for children, teenagers and adults that are suitable for beginners as well as experienced dancers. Whether looking to dance for fun, fitness, meet new friends, or looking for something a bit more serious, we have the class for you!

Box Hill Ballet is family friendly inclusive dance school, providing dance tuition in a supportive and welcoming environment. We have been running for nearly 70 years as a not for profit organisation with a voluntary committee. We have qualified and experienced teachers and there are various opportunities throughout the year to participate in performances.

At Box Hill Ballet we aim to promote and develop a love for dance across many different styles and all generations.